Foundation garment with crotch therefor



Sept. 12, 1950 B. WOHLMAN 2,522,009

FOUNDATION GARMENT WITH CROTCH THEREFOR Filed June 21, 1947 FIG. I.

g I WIN V EN TOR.

AT To 4 EY.

' fortable crotch.

Patented Sept. 12, 1950 OFFICE THEREFOR Beatrice Wohlman, Forest Hills, N. Y.

, Application June 21, 1947, Serial No. 756,226

This invention relates to foundation garments and crotches therefor. p

-"O ne object of the inventionis to provide a foundation garment having an improved permanently attached, normally closed, neat and com- Many women require crotches for convenience and protection, and those heretofore used have -'been detachable, but untidy in appearance, and

afforded only reasonable comfort. They were adapted to be easily washed, but were never "adapted for a snug'fit to the wearer. They had {to be removed whenurinating was necessary, and their reattachmentwas always a source of diili- ,Cmty.

' Itis therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved crotch forming a part of a I foundation garment and having an opening,"the edges whereof would'not cause cutting in, the crotch being self closing and nevertheless adapted to be-e asilyand adequately opened. -Another object of the inventionis to furnish a garment of the'type mentioned having an proved elastic crotch combined with a plastic, (non-stretching, moisture-proof material which shall eliminatcthe necessity of frequent washing of the crotch, garment, or'both, due to soilingby natural moisture and perspiration.

Another object of the invention is to'eliminate the highly objectionable chafing in a-crotch by the use of film-like plastic-surfaces.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a form-fitting garmentand crotch of improved construction to avoid binding or cutting in at the groin as'well as opening by movement of the wearers legs. r

. 1 Another object of the invention is to provide an improved close-fitting garment which facili- ..tates;ve ntilation at the crotch. 1

-. Another objectyof the invention is to construct a, garment having an improved form-fitting crotch-adapted to readily accommodate a sanitary napkin, with the latter'being easily accessible .and reliably mounted on the garment.

Another object of the inventionis to soconnect or seam the crotch to the body of the garthe front 1 8 Claims. (01. 128-288) will become apparent 2 as the specification proceeds.

With' the aforesaid objects in viewgthe invention comprises the novel features, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed outin the subj'oined claims, and illustrated in'the'annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout 'the several views.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing-a garment embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryexterior bottom plan view. of the garment as worn, with the "crotch 'in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the crotch in opened position. a

Fig. 4 is a similar view but taken interiorlyof the garment. 1

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to that of Fig.4 but showing the device modified to mount a sanitary pad.

Fig. 6'is an enlarged fragmentary view in transverse section taken approximately on line 66'of Fig. 4. I

The advantages of the invention as here 'outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined, but useful embodiments may be produced involving less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing a preferred exemplification of the invention.

Generally described, the invention provides; a

foundation garment having a permanent crotch.

to be in a, common plane adjacent to the front of the garment to avoid a protuberance which might show through the wearers dress, and to facilitate opening of the crotch for urination, to

condition. On the inner faces of the members'* there are elongated clement-s. of -waterproof wall is provided with a cut-out 20 to the edges of which are seamed at 2! the adjacent ends of the members ll in such a manner as to maintain the overlap at It. This overlap diminishes toward the front of the crotch, and at the front or adjacent thereto, the members ll have their inner edges 22 in substantial abutment relation with each other, this abutment being so close i'tliat the crotch is substantially closed at this region, and tends to bethusmaintained by tension exerted by the overlapped portions at I9. "Formed in the front wall H is a cut-out 23, the

. same -pr.e ferably providing convex upwardly explastic, limp or film material which is perfectly smooth and easy to wipe cleanof moisture These elements being non-stretchable are secured" with a slight gather to the inembers 'preferably at their extreme inner edges to protect the mem- I bers from soiling. The elements participate in m the overlap and are free at their outer edges for aeration and quick drying," particularly after washing of the garment. The members are of considerable widthfito be folded downward at the groinby the legs of the wearer, but the plastic 'elementstarfet relatively narrow and extend only :toi the groin and hence. are'notsubjected to the folding; In the front wall is a cut-out which tapers upwardly-and afiords desirably convex edges following the groinbut spaced above or outwardly thereof whereby the seams withthe members will not have to foldlor otherwise cause discomfort at-the groin. At the center of this cut-out is a projection extending downwardly to the top end of the crotch opening and forming a :strong lapjoint-vor seam with the members} I and serving to maintain theerotch "centered.

"The-portions of the members onropposite sides of the protection and intermediate of the seams are adaptedtto,rand have fullnessto easily fold or break as continuations of the groin folds fora comfortable and'snugfit-and to avoid'a'ccidental opening of the crotchupon spreadingofthe wearers legs. The crotch is adapted to readily "belly outward to accommodate a sanitary pad. The crotch. can be readily andsufficiently'opened by insertion of the wearers fingers for safe uriflation, for mounting and detachment or 'a's anitary 'napkin and for wiping the plastic elements clean of any soiling; -These several functions are assisted by the elasticity of the crotch and girdle, and the crotch may open slightly near the front, or'belly downward as shown, to afford increased room for the sanitary pad.

' Referring in detail to the drawing, It denotes a foundation garment such-as-a-girdle embodying "the invention. The-same mayinclude front and rear walls l l and 52 which are preferably verticall-y elastic, and: side walls lt'which are horizontally elastic. These walls provide a body member of tubular form which can be opened only part way down by the provision of'a-"slide fastener I4. Hose supporters '5 may be conventionally connected to the front and rear walls,

preferably at their inner faces so as to be inconspicuous. A crotch lii embodying the invention comprises a pair of identical elongated or band-like members I; consisting of anexible or limp material which is preferably longitudinally elastic. In normal practise these 'm'embers ii "are proportionately longer than shown. Thesemembers are disposed at opposite sidesof the center of the crotch to formtherebetween an elongated central crotchopening l8. the rear, the members ll areof suflicientwidthflto overlap each other as shown at'lS; The'rar 1 tending edges 24 to which the adjacent ends of the members ll are connected by seams 25. 'Desirably'there is formed a downward extending projection .25inFthe cut-out centrally thereof.

This'projection 26 tapers downwardly in contradistinction to the upwardly tapered opening 23. Adjacent end portions of the member I! are connected to the edgesg oi this projectiongbyseams 27, the seams being so constructed that the abutment -relationship1; rnentioned-- is maintained therein. Thus'the members ll; form aasing-le thickness of materialadjacent to the edges ,22, and the projection 26 provides areenforcingiap jointtherewith.

The members Tare preferably sufficientlyrwide so as to'be downwardly'folded at: 28 at the groin,

such folding being caused by the legs of the wearer, the downwardly folded portions cooperating withthe bodymember of the girdle to form snug fitting-tubularleg openings, The effect of the legs isalso-totend toholdthe crotch closed. Because the seams 25 are located above or'be- -yond1the groin, thelseam zfiis notsubjected to folding, and does notwcause; discomfort at the groin: Because of the curved. form ofthe seams 25, there result the triangular portions 29 between -seams125 and12l, whereby-the folds at'28 may continue upward at 38 alongthe groin without: interference by therelatively 'stifi seams; the

folds at 30 extending into the triangular por- .-:=tions- 29 whereby -.asmooth, comfortable; and snug-fittingefiect is produced, and thecrotch is permitted .tosnugly hug the body of Ethewearer. The location or the groi-n indicates the maximum desired elevation of; the .front of the crotch opening, and it is noted that the'projecti'onzfi defines the upper end-of'this opening: Along theouter edges of the members there maybe any suitablefinishing hem or'p'ortion 3 l whioh may continue upward into the "front and rear walls.

Upon .the inner faces of the members I1 are the identical elements-32-which are of elongated form and consist of a waterproof .materialsuch -as a plastic' filmllke or limp material. These eleiments are disposed on opposite sides-of the center of the crotch and are'seameda't 33% the extreme edges of the-members l1 continuously along such edges. These seams'33 aremade extremely fine and hence do not appear in Fig. 3.

" The structure is suchthat the elements 32 cover the inner faces of the-members I! up to their f'reeinner edges, but without appearing on the 'outer face of the crotch. The elements ll'consequently participate in the overlap at It and at their ends they are connected into the seams '20, These elements 32 are preferably substantially narrower than the"members I! so that'theifr pinkededges 34 are "spaced from the edging or -hems 3|. Accordingly; the elements "32' 'will not'be subjected 'tothe folding at 28 and y along the groins These edges 34 are free to "facilitate'rapid drying of the crotchait'er a washof the stresses.

many permitting aeration. To facilitate longitudinal stretch of the'crotch,'the seamsat-33 are constructed to form a slight gather in theplastic elements 32. It will now be perceived that should any soiling occur, the same could be readily cleaned by wiping the plastic elements 32 without requiring that the garment be'removed or washed. The crotch also permits of a desirableiventilation by reason of the merely abutting 'edges' 22fand this fact will not be interfered with bythe'elements 32.

Fig. 5 is shown a modification which involves the front wall I I and a plurality of fastening 'devices 36 are mounted on the rear wall, these different fastening means being at or adjacent to the ends of the crotch. This fastening device iffay be of the-conventional type, adjustable in character and comprising tapes or ribbons together with-suitablehooks and eyes. The latter are indicated at 31 and different ribbons are indicate'dat38, 39, the ribbons 38 mayconsistof 'elastic material and may have slidable connection ,wfithloops 40 which are fixed to the ends .of a sanitary pad M.

The overlap region 19 assists inv maintaining and supporting the sanitary pad .in position, with the front section of the crotch adjacent the openings 22 facilitating adownward ,concaving of the crotch as clearly shown inFig. }.1'1t,'oaccommodate the sanitary pad, the crotch also yielding elastically, and permitting free'access for removal and mounting of the sanitary pad.

Certain features of the invention may now be more clearly "described. The members I! are provided with a longitudinal central fullness at 42, existing on opposite sides of the abutting edges at 22 and somewhat beyond, and diminishing toward the bottom or rear of the crotch. This fullness is provided by an excess of material in the members I! and 32 and by appropriate seaming at 25 and 21. This fullness is of particular assistance in accommodating the sanitary pad, but its special function is to avoid crotch opening tension at the edges 22 upon spreading of the wearers legs. Incidentally the fullness at 42 assists in the shaping of the crotch at 28, 30, at the groin of the wearer to afford a snug fit without discomfort at the groin. As crotches are often used to avoid upward creeping of the girdle, the fullness at 42 is vital to assist in a comfortable distribution of that tension. These effects are rendered possible by the triangular upward crotch projections 29 into which the fullness extends, while the intervening downward extending girdle projection 29 serves as a fullness separator and tension distributor, at the same time that it tends to center the crotch to maintain a balance By reason of the girdle overlap at 26, the wearer may spread her legs without unduly straining the members I! or ripping the seams at 21.

The plastic elements 32 are so perfectly smooth that they eliminae chafing, which is a source of a great deal of discomfort to women. In fact a garment is often discarded because it causes chafing. In the instant invention the plastic elements permit instant cleaning of natural perspiration and moisture by a mere wiping action with a piece of tissue while the garment is worn. Heretofore the crotch or the entire garment had to be removed and washed, and this was a source br'cbns'iderabie annoyance; The plas'ugieifists are relatively non-stretching and hence -"are seam-gathered to open up smooth as the crutch is elastically tensioned'."

1." A foundation garment having a" tubular body member comprising front and rear' 'walls fitting the torso foffa "-wearer,*a crotchh'avi'ng two" elongated members of limp material on opposite sides of the crotch center" to f'orm a n elongated normally" closed central Cretan-upenmg; the members being of' suifi'cie'nt widthtb be adapted to be downwardly folded along the groin the legs of the" wearenfl'th' member's being corinected at their 'ends'to said-' walls, an

innen'edg'e' of each of said members being in abutment relation with each other at the 'front of the garmejntfthe front wall havinglupwardly tapered 'cut out' interrupted by a central downwardly' taperedprojectionfedges of the latter and of the cut-out being seamed to front ends of' the members, said seams bei'ng'located above the groin of the'weareig'and the said inner edges being connected in thesai'd abutting interrelation to the said projection with the latter overlapping the adjacent end portions of thejmembera 9 A 'foun'datiomgar'ment' having a tubular body comprising front'and rear walls for fitting the torso of a wea er, a' crotch' f ormed' of two elongated members extending'bet'ween' said front andrear walls, front and rear permanent seam joints c onnectingfrontends of' each of said members to 'said'body 'frontwall "and rear ends of each ofsaid members to said body rear wall,

1 respectively, said members having'adjacnt edges thereof positioned to overlap a maximum extent at said rear seam joint and to a diminishing extent toward the front seam joint where said edges are in abutment, said adjacent edges defining a central opening retained normally in closed position by said overlap during substantially all movement positions of the legs of the wearer and being brought into an open position on manual-separation of said adjacent edges.

3. The foundation garment defined in claim 2 in which said front seam is formed with a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending portions converging toward each other interrupted by a. central downwardly extending V-shaped portion terminating said adjacent edges at the front end thereof.

4. The foundation garment defined in claim 2 in which said elongated members are longitudinally elastic, an element of moisture proof, plastic, limp material overlying each of said elongated members next to the wearers body, each of said moisture proof elements having a first edge continuously connected to said adjacent edge of its respective member and having a sec-- ond edge opposite said first edge entirely free from its respective member to facilitate rapid drying of the crotch.

5. The foundation garment defined in claim 2 in which said elongated members are longitudinally elastic, and means on the tubular body adjacent front and rear ends of the crotch for detachably mounting a sanitary pad to extend centrally along the crotch, the rear overlap enclosing the sanitary pad and said abutment adjacent the front wall being constructed and arranged to permit easy access to the sanitary pad and to facilitate snug accommodation thereof by yielding of the elastic members.

6. The foundation garment defined in claim 2 in which said elongated members are longi- ,jecentzfront and rear ends of: the crotch for detachably mounting a sanitary pad to extend centrally along. the crotch, th rear overlap enclosing -.the-;sanitar-y pad and said abutment ad- :jacent the front .wall being constructed and arranged to permit 'easy access to. the sanitary 129 a. and tofacilitate snug accommodation there- "of by; yielding of theelastic members.

vA foundation garment having a tubular abod y comprising from and rear wallssfcr fitting the. torsov of awea-rer, a crotch formed with two elongated members extending between said front and. rear walls forming therewith leg Openings, intent and rear 1permanent seam joints connect- -front ends of each of said members to said body-i-ront-wall and rear ends of each of said members to said body rear wall, respectively, said members each having adjacent edges thereof positioned to overlap amaximum extent at said rear seam joint and to a diminishing extent toward the frontv seam joint where said edges are in abutment, saidadjacent-edges defining -a central cpeningeretained normally :in closed position by ,said voverlap, said front wall being provided with an upwardly Qtapered cut-out formed with a; d wnwardlv extending central projection terminating ,the front ends of said ad-jacentedges,

said members having portions extending. upwardlvandbeyond front ends of said adjacentedges into said tapered cut-out providing excessmgterial-cas alongitudinal fullness at-zopposite-sides of said adjacent edges to prevent lopening ofthe crotch upon spreading ofrthewearers legs.

8,,A garment as defined. in claim f7 inwhich said crotch members consistaof velastic material, and a facing element of a limp, -smooth,;moisture proof plastic material lining the-inside, surface reach of .said crotch members andbeiiig' connected thereto along its edge, 'bQrderLing' -,said \opening with .a' slightg'ather to ,perr'nit.,.stretching .of said crotch wall sections when spreading theopening. I BEATRICE W OHLMAN REFERENCES CITED. I The following references are of record-21m ;:the

file :of this patent:

2,381,8l6 ,F'rieman Augfl, 19.45 

